An Edge Fitting to Support and Protect a Cargo Casing

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an edge fitting ( 1 ) for protecting and supporting an outer edge of a cargo casing. The edge fitting ( 1 ) has a body comprising a base plate ( 3 ) with a first surface ( 4 ) facing said cargo casing in a mounted state of the edge fitting ( 1 ) and an opposite second surface facing away from the cargo casing in said mounted state. The body further comprises a border profile ( 6 ) extending perpendicularly or at least substantially perpendicularly to the base plate ( 3 ) and configured to extend along at least a part of said outer edge in said mounted state. A securing member ( 7 ) is arranged at said second surface projecting therefrom and configured to removably secure said body to a pallet ( 8 ) supporting said cargo casing or a lid resting on it by friction to an inner surface of an opening ( 10 ) of said pallet ( 8 ) or lid after introduced therein.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an edge fitting for protecting and supporting an outer edge of a cargo casing. The edge fitting has a body comprising a base plate with a first surface facing said cargo casing in a mounted state of the edge fitting and an opposite second surface facing away from the cargo casing in said mounted state. The body further comprises a border profile extending perpendicularly or at least substantially perpendicularly to the base plate and configured to extend along at least a part of said outer edge in said mounted state.

Such edge fittings can be arranged at the top or the bottom part of a cargo casing, such as a box or frame made of cardboard, wood, plastic etc. Edge fittings of this type can further be arranged at a support member supporting such a cargo casing, such as a pallet or the like, or at a lid resting on a said cargo casing for increasing the strength of this and provide the possibility to stack another cargo casing thereon. The invention relates to such an edge fitting configured to be arranged on some type of pallet or lid.

Such edge fittings arranged on a pallet are used for supporting a cargo casing to be transported on the pallet. If, for example, a pallet provided with a plurality of such cargo casings is moved by a forklift the edge fittings will hold the cargo casing in a proper position on the pallet even if the forklift performs a quick turn or drives over a small bump.

Such edge fittings arranged at a lid resting on such a cargo casing are used for holding the lid in a proper position on the casing in such a way that it will not slip in any direction, even if the casing is tilted or the like.

Arranged at any location described the edge fittings are also used for protecting the outer edges of a cargo casing against external impacts that could occur, for example, as a truck fully loaded with such casings drives over a bump and the casings by that bump into each other or against an inner wall in the cargo space of the truck.

BACKGROUND ART

It is previously known to provide pallets or lids with edge fittings for the purposes described. The edge fittings are conventionally attached to the pallet or lid by nailing or screwing them thereto.

This approach causes many problems related to the manufacture, use and recycling of the pallet or lid. In the manufacture thereof either expensive machines have to be used to attach edge fittings to the products described, or a large workforce is needed for providing them with edge fittings by manpower. Both approaches are connected with higher costs in the manufacture of the products to be provided with such edge fittings.

If, as an example, a pallet is provided with such edge fittings already known removal of these from the pallet due to a desire to use this without edge fittings is a time consuming work and could even result in damages on the pallet.

Also, the edge fittings already known cause problems when a pallet or a lid is to be recycled in the end of its life cycle. If the pallet or lid are made of wood, as an example, and the edge fittings of metal they should be removed therefrom before recycling the pallet or lid. This process is time consuming and could also be a waste of material, if the pallet or lid is intact but not the edge fittings, or reverse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an edge fitting of the type defined in the introduction being improved in at least some aspect with respect to such edge fittings already known.

This object is according to the invention obtained by arranging a securing member at said second surface projecting therefrom and configured to removably secure said body to a pallet supporting said cargo casing or a lid resting on it by friction to an inner surface of an opening of said pallet or lid after introduced therein. Easy securing and removal of the edge fitting to and from said pallet or lid is by such a securing member provided. A person can by this easily and fast provide, for example, a pallet with one or a plurality of edge fittings exactly when needed and after use or when the pallet is to be recycled by hand remove all edge fittings therefrom.

In an embodiment of the invention the body further comprises a fixing rim extending perpendicularly or at least substantially perpendicularly to the base plate and configured to extend over and along at least a part of a lateral surface of said pallet or lid so as to fixedly arrange said body relative to the pallet or lid in said mounted state. Said fixing rim ensures that the edge fitting is fixed in a proper position relative to said pallet or lid in said mounted state, so that it cannot be moved thereon.

In another embodiment of the invention said fixing rim is configured to extend at least 2 mm, 2-5 mm or at least 5 mm over said lateral surface in a direction perpendicular or at least substantially perpendicular to and away from the base plate in said mounted state. Said extension length of the fixing rim over said lateral surface ensures a good ability of the fixing rim to fix the edge fitting relative to the cargo casing.

In another embodiment of the invention said securing member is configured to be compressed when introduced into said opening so as to store potential energy thereby urging it to expand in said opening, said securing member being preferably an expansion plug. Provided with a securing member of such a type the edge fitting can be produced cost-effectively and easily be moved from one type of pallet or lid to another by interacting with openings thereof with different sizes.

In another embodiment of the invention said border profile is a corner profile configured to be aligned with an outer corner of said pallet or lid in said mounted state.

In another embodiment of the invention the edge fitting is made of a single material. The edge fitting can by that be produced cost-effectively and is at the end of its life cycle easy to recycle and by that environmentally friendly.

In another embodiment of the invention the edge fitting is produced in one piece. The edge fitting can by that be produced cost-effectively and is easy to handle.

In another embodiment of the invention the edge fitting is made mainly of a synthetic material, preferably a plastic material. A synthetic material, preferably a plastic material, is cost-effective, recyclable and has satisfying properties for this type of product.

In another embodiment of the invention said border profile has bevelled corners. Damages to the cargo casing under use of the edge fitting are by that prevented.

In another embodiment of the invention said border profile has a height of at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, 10-100 mm, 20-60 mm or 30-50 mm. A satisfying ability of the edge fitting to keep a cargo casing in a proper position on a pallet or a lid in a proper position on a cargo casing is by that obtained.

In another embodiment of the invention said border profile has a length of at least 20 mm, at least 50 mm, at least 100 mm or 100-200 mm. A satisfying ability of the edge fitting to keep a cargo casing in a proper position on a pallet or a lid in a proper position on a cargo casing is by that obtained.

The invention also relates to a pallet configured to support a cargo casing has at least one edge fitting according to any of the embodiments described above, preferably one such edge fitting for each corner of said cargo casing.

The invention also relates to a lid configured to rest on a cargo casing has at least one edge fitting according to any of the embodiments described above, preferably one such edge fitting for each corner of said cargo casing.

Further advantages as well as advantageous features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a specific description of an embodiment of the invention cited as an example.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a pallet with three of its corners provided with a respective edge fitting according to an embodiment of the invention and a fourth edge fitting located over a fourth corner to be secured thereon,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from above of the pallet shown in FIG. 1 with a cargo casing and a lid, each corner of the pallet and the lid being provided with a respective edge fitting,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view from above of one of the edge fittings shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the part facing the cargo casing in said mounted state, and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below of the edge fitting shown in FIG. 3 of the part facing away from the cargo casing in said mounted state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Edge fittings according to an embodiment of the invention are illustrated in the appended FIGS. 1-4 and will now be described while at the same time making reference to all these Figures.

An edge fitting 1 to be secured to a pallet 8 or lid according to said embodiment of the invention has a body 2 comprising a base plate 3 with a first surface 4 and an opposite second surface 5, and a border profile 6 extending perpendicularly or at least substantially perpendicularly to the base plate 3. The border profile is a corner profile 6 configured to be aligned with an outer corner of a pallet or lid in a mounted state of the edge fitting 1, but could also be, for example, a straight border profile configured to be aligned with a straight side edge of the pallet or lid in said mounted state.

A securing member in the form of an expansion plug 7 is arranged at said second surface 5, projects therefrom and is configured to removably secure said body 2 to the pallet 8 or lid 9.

The expansion plug 7 is configured to be compressed when introduced into an opening 10 of the pallet or lid so as to store potential energy thereby urging it to expand in said opening and by that secure said body 2 to the pallet 8 or lid 9 by friction to an inner surface of said opening 10.

A pallet 8 is shown in FIG. 1 provided with three edge fittings 1 a-c secured to the pallet at three respective corners 11 a-c of the pallet and one edge fitting 1 to be secured to a fourth corner 11 of the pallet by the respective opening 10 of that corner.

The pallet 8 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2 supporting a cargo casing in the form of a box 12 standing thereon and provided with a lid 9 resting thereon. The pallet 8 and the lid 9 are both provided with four edge fittings, of which only three 1, 1 a, 1 c and 1 d, 1 e, 1 f can be seen on the pallet and on the lid, respectively.

In a mounted state of an edge fitting 1, 1 a-f the expansion plug 7 is located in an opening 10 of the pallet 8 or the lid 9 securing said body 2 of the edge fitting thereto. Said first surface 4 of the base plate 3 of the edge fitting faces the box 12 and said second surface 5 of the base plate of the edge fitting faces away from the box. The border profile 6 is configured to extend along a part of an outer edge 13 in said mounted state, which part of the edge is protected by the border profile 6 against external impacts.

The body 2 of the edge fitting 1 further comprises a fixing rim 14 extending perpendicularly or at least substantially perpendicularly to the base plate 3 and configured to extend over and along a part of a lateral surface 15, 16 of the pallet 8 or lid 9 so as to fixedly arrange said body 2 relative to the pallet or lid in said mounted state.

The border profile 6 has bevelled corners 17 so as to reduce the risk of damages to the cargo casing 12 under use of the edge fitting 1.

The edge fittings 1, 1 a-f are easily secured to a pallet 8 and to a lid 9 by hand of a person by inserting the expansion plug 7 in the respective openings 10 thereof. As the pallet is provided with edge fittings 1, 1 a-c at each corner 11, 11 a-c a cargo casing 12 is placed on the pallet and supported thereon by the edge fittings. If a lid 9 is necessary for safely transporting the cargo casing on the pallet 8 the person also provides the lid with edge fittings 1 d-f at the respective corners. The lid 9 is then placed to rest on the top of the cargo casing 12 and is kept in place by the edge fittings 1 d-f.

After the transport of a cargo within a specific cargo casing the edge fittings 1, 1 a-c of the pallet 8 and the edge fittings 1 d-f of the lid 9 may easily and quickly be removed therefrom by hand for being used with another pallet or lid. By the easy way of securing the edge fittings to a pallet or lid they could also be used with different types of pallets, such as pallets of different sizes and materials.

The invention is of course not in any way restricted to the embodiments thereof described above, but many possibilities to modifications thereof will be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The border profile of an edge fitting could, for example, be configured to extend along the entire length of an outer edge of a cargo casing, along the entire lengths of two outer edges of a cargo casing or even extend as a frame along all of the outer edges of a cargo casing.

The lid described could be a primary lid used for closing the top of the cargo casing or a secondary lid resting on a primary lid for strengthening the cargo casing and providing the ability to place, for example, a pallet on the cargo casing.

A pallet or lid could have all of its corners provided with edge fittings but could also be provided with only one edge fitting.

A cargo casing referred to in this writing could be any casing for containing some type of cargo, such as a box, a frame, a net or a foam cover.

A pallet referred to in this writing could be any type of pallet on which some type of cargo could be placed, such as a wooden pallet, a plastic pallet, and also have different appearances, such as a whole top surface, a board surface with openings etc.

All of the edge fittings 1, 1 a-f shown in the Figures are exactly alike, but it would however also be possible to provide a pallet or a lid with edge fittings that are not exactly alike, such as with different lengths, or the like.

The securing member is a member that stores potential energy when compressed thereby urging the member to return to its idle state, in which it has a minimum amount of potential energy. Such a member could be an expansion plug designed in one piece or a plurality of elements together forming said member, or another type of member with said properties. 

1. An edge fitting (1) for protecting and supporting an outer edge (13) of a cargo casing (12), with a body (2) comprising a base plate (3) with a first surface (4) facing said cargo casing (12) in a mounted state of the edge fitting (1) and an opposite second surface (5) facing away from the cargo casing (12) in said mounted state, and a border profile (6) extending perpendicularly or at least substantially perpendicularly to the base plate (3) and configured to extend along at least a part of said outer edge (13) in said mounted state, wherein a securing member (7) is arranged at said second surface (5) projecting therefrom and configured to removably secure said body (2) to a pallet (8) supporting said cargo casing (12) or a lid (9) resting on it by friction to an inner surface of an opening (10) of said pallet (8) or lid (9) after introduced therein.
 2. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein the body (2) further comprises a fixing rim (14) extending perpendicularly or at least substantially perpendicularly to the base plate (3) and configured to extend over and along at least a part of a lateral surface (15, 16) of said pallet (8) or lid (9) to fixedly arrange said body (2) relative to the pallet (8) or lid (9) in said mounted state.
 3. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 2, wherein said fixing rim (14) is configured to extend at least 2 mm, 2-5 mm or at least 5 mm over said lateral surface (15, 16) in a direction perpendicular or at least substantially perpendicular to and away from the base plate (3) in said mounted state.
 4. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein said securing member (7) is configured to be compressed when introduced into said opening (10) to store potential energy thereby urging it to expand in said opening (10), said securing member (7) being preferably an expansion plug.
 5. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein said border profile (6) is a corner profile configured to be aligned with an outer corner (11, 11 a-c) of said pallet (8) or lid (9) in said mounted state.
 6. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein it is made of a single material.
 7. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 6, wherein it is produced in one piece.
 8. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein it is made mainly of a synthetic material, preferably a plastic material.
 9. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein said border profile (6) has bevelled corners (17).
 10. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein said border profile (6) has a height of at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, 10-100 mm, 20-60 mm or 30-50 mm.
 11. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein said border profile (6) has a length of at least 20 mm, at least 50 mm, at least 100 mm or 100-200 mm.
 12. A pallet (8) configured to support a cargo casing (12) and having at least one edge fitting (1) according to claim 1, preferably one such edge fitting (1) for each corner of said cargo casing (12).
 13. A lid (9) configured to rest on a cargo casing (12) and having at least one edge fitting (1) according to claim 1, preferably one such edge fitting (1) for each corner of said cargo casing (12).
 14. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 3, wherein said securing member (7) is configured to be compressed when introduced into said opening (10) to store potential energy thereby urging it to expand in said opening (10), said securing member (7) being preferably an expansion plug.
 15. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 2, wherein said securing member (7) is configured to be compressed when introduced into said opening (10) to store potential energy thereby urging it to expand in said opening (10), said securing member (7) being preferably an expansion plug.
 16. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 15, wherein said border profile (6) is a corner profile configured to be aligned with an outer corner (11, 11 a-c) of said pallet (8) or lid (9) in said mounted state.
 17. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 14, wherein said border profile (6) is a corner profile configured to be aligned with an outer corner (11, 11 a-c) of said pallet (8) or lid (9) in said mounted state.
 18. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 4, wherein said border profile (6) is a corner profile configured to be aligned with an outer corner (11, 11 a-c) of said pallet (8) or lid (9) in said mounted state.
 19. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 3, wherein said border profile (6) is a corner profile configured to be aligned with an outer corner (11, 11 a-c) of said pallet (8) or lid (9) in said mounted state.
 20. An edge fitting (1) according to claim 2, wherein said border profile (6) is a corner profile configured to be aligned with an outer corner (11, 11 a-c) of said pallet (8) or lid (9) in said mounted state. 